St. Paul describes the faith of the Saints of old and what they endured for the sake of the truth of God, saying, they: “subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong… Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They … were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented of whom the world was not worthy” (Hebrews 11:33-38). His reference could equally apply to the Saints of North America whom we commemorate today: at great personal cost, they brought the true faith of Christ to North America, becoming the “fishers of men” Christ calls all of us to be by virtue of our baptism into Christ. Through their saintly lives and denial of self—their cross—they witnessed to the truth of Christ in this land so that our forefathers could come to the knowledge and love of God, keep the true Faith in this land, and spread it through evangelization. Two of these Saints, after serving as missionaries for many years here, Saints Innocent and Tikhon, went on to become Metropolitan and Patriarch of Moscow, respectively. Another, St. John Kochurov, who served as priest in America for many years, was the first to be martyred by the Bolsheviks upon returning from America to serve the Church in Russia. If we are to be faithful to Christ’s calling on our lives, we too need to be ready to prioritize our life in Christ and in His Church above all else—not only in imitation of the heritage of the Saints who’ve come before us, but in obedience to Christ’s command (“Go, therefore, and make disciples…”) and for love of Christ. Indeed, it’s because of our love for God that we are willing to endure and suffer all for the sake of the Gospel, to faithfully witness to the truth in our age, to give sacrificially to the building up of Christ’s Church, to repent and live a life compatible with the Kingdom of God.
Christ is in our midst! Fr. Robert+
THIS WEEK AT HOLY ARCHANGELS (all services at our church home—47 Spa Rd):
- TODAY, 9:30, Hours, 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Sunday of All Saints of North America, Trapeza, Sunday School
- Wed, June, 21, 6:45-8:15, Bible Study Series & Outreach Opportunity: “The Epistle of St. James” Intro and FIRST study & discussion. Invite your friends for this amazing journey of faith and discovery!
- Sat, June 24, 6 p.m., Great Vespers for Sunday of All Saints (confession offered after the service)
- Sun, June 25, 9:30 Hours 10 a.m., Divine Liturgy, Trapeza
Looking Ahead:
- Wed, June 28, 6:45 p.m., Vesperal Divine Liturgy, Feast of SS. Peter and Paul
Confession and Reception: In keeping with OCA Guidelines, it is the discipline at Holy Archangels to practice monthly confession. If you wish to receive Communion and a month has passed and you have not made confession for good reason, or, are visiting, please talk with Fr. Robert prior to the service and before approaching the Chalice to ask for a blessing to receive.
Monthly Giving—Expanding the Mission: Our Mission has taken a big step of faith to move into our new church home, to expand our bookstore and outreach efforts, and make more room for new families and individuals. We need your help to afford our new space. Monthly pledges are key to our sustainability and our growth. Please place your pledge (or increased pledge) in the offering box today!
TRAPEZA: The lunch and fellowship we serve after Divine Liturgy is an important part of our Mission’s life together. We cannot draw closer to God if we are not also drawing closer to each other. If we wish to grow “in spirit and in numbers,” such fellowship needs to be part of our life together in Christ. Please sign up to help provide for this important ministry.
Prayer Requests: That God may grow our Mission “in spirit and in numbers…”
- For God’s financial provision for our Mission & ACM (Annapolis College Ministry);
- Forgiveness, memory eternal: Newly-departed Priest William, Anne, William, James
- Metropolitan Isaiah of Georgia, Archpriest George, Rdr. John, Gov. Hogan, Benedict, Daniel, Mat. Janet, Eric, Daniel, Noah, Norm, Svetlana, Alex, Gary, Timothy, Sophia, the Church in Georgia & Romania as they address the relativism of the West, speaking the truth in love, our persecuted brethren in the Middle East, esp. Egypt and Syria, a peaceful resolution in Syria.
From the Fathers…
“The spread of Christ’s Faith ought to be near and precious to the heart of every Orthodox Christian.” (St. Tikhon, Enlightener of North America, Patriarch of Moscow)
“Christ, invisible to the bodily eye, manifests Himself on earth clearly through His Church … The Church is the Body of Christ both because its parts are united to Christ through His divine mysteries and because through her Christ works in the world.” (John of Shanghai and San Francisco)
Troparion (Resurrection) Tone 8
Thou didst descend from on high, O Merciful One!
Thou didst accept the three day burial
to free us from our sufferings!//O Lord, our Life and Resurrection, glory to thee!
Troparion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 4
As with fine porphyry and royal purple,
Thy Church has been adorned with Thy martyrs’ blood shed through-out all the world.
She cries to Thee, O Christ God: // “Send down Thy bounties on Thy people,//
grant peace to Thy habitation and great mercy to our souls!”
Troparion (Angels) Tone 4
O Commanders of the heavenly hosts, // we who are unworthy beseech you:
by your prayers encompass us beneath the wings of your immaterial glory,
and faithfully preserve us who fall down and cry to you://
Deliver us from all harm for you are the commanders on high
Kontakion (from the Pentecostarion) Tone 8
The universe offers Thee the God-bearing Martyrs
as the first fruits of creation, O Lord and Creator.
By their prayers keep Thy Church, Thy habitation, in abiding peace//
through the Theotokos, O most Merciful One!
Kontakion (Angels) Tone 2
Commanders of God’s armies //and ministers of the divine glory,//princes of the bodiless Angels
and guides of mankind;//ask for what is good for us, and for great mercy,//
O Supreme Commanders of the Bodiless Hosts.
